Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-03-10
TURTLE MOUNTAIN TROUBLES.
Defiant Dakota Redskins who Res
SllA T,ur ALoilaaAan

TURTLE MOUNTAIN TROUBLES.
Defiant Dakota Redskins who Resist
the Tax Collector.
bismarck, March S-Gov. Church this
morning teiegraphed Adjutant General
Tyner at Fargo to wire either Col. BEN
ham or DR.. Ruger, requesting them to
gu to st. Johns at once, investigate the
trouble there and report to him (Tyner)
at Devils Lake or Church's Ferry, to one
Of which points the ~adjatant general is
instructed to repair at oncs and to keep
the governor informed. This afternoon
a telegram was received from Gen. Tyner
stating that he had wired Benham and
Ruger, and would himself leave by the
drst train. He suggested that in the
event that troops should be called for
cavalry would be required, and that
steps be taken to secure their equip
ment. The government has instructed
Gen. Dennis to take whatever steps ale
necessary TO call q portion of the militia
promptly into service if required.
Fargo, March 8-Mnoh interest Yves
taken here in the reports of the half
breed outbreak In the Turtle Mountain
region, as the Fargo company
would probably be the first one ordered
out il the militia is called upon. Gen.
Tynsr will 60 to Church's Ferry to-
morrow morning. MAJ. Bsnham start
ed from Devils Lake this afternoon to
Investigate the trouble and report to
Gen. Tyner at Ohurch's Ferry. N. NJ.
Noble OF Bottineau is here tonight and
says:
He does not believe that there are to
exceed seventy-fve families OF breeds IN
in the foothills, but these are ugly and
determined. Maj. Cramsie, Indiau
agent ct Devils Lake, had been appeal
ed to, and he thought that when that
gentleman would explain to them that
they were liable for the taxes the breeds
would acquiesce aud the trouble be
averted.
w. w. Miller, a custom officer Of Wal
halla, also here to. night, says the breeds
are about three hundred strong, have easy
access to whisky and are ugly. He be-
lieyes they have been massing for three
weeks, and are preparing to fight
Some have also arrived from the Mani
toba side. He also believes that Maj
Cramise would handle them.
There is q reservation of a few town.
ships near st. John, the neighborhood
OF the halfbreed trouble in north Dakota
but it ls understood that the Indians re,
tasing to pay taxes are residents of the
territory outside of this reservation, AND
have deslared their intention to become
citizens. It is not impossible that the
majority of these defiant warriors
may take up their effects ard %alh
across the line into British
territory il they are pushed by tht
military, which would complieate mat
tiers. The United States troops at For
Totten would undoubtedly make shor1
work of the Indians il called upon, but
the territorial authorities prefer to en-
force the laws without calling on tn,
general government. The legislature
If In session, must make the call for as
aistanee under the constitutions; but 81
that body adjourns Friday it is likely
that the governor will be called upon Il
dispose of the matter himself.
Devils Lake. Dak,, March 8-Maj
Cramsie, Indian agent at Fort Totten
has gone to Turtle Mountain to restor,
quiet among the half-breeds and ali
the sheriff in securing payment Of take
due Rollette county. Col. Tyner
adiutant general for Dakota, q
the request of Gov. Church, is en- rout
there. 1t is thought now that Their
will be no need of calling troops. Ha.
the white settlers offered any resistanc
to the armed mob in recovering thei
stock from the sheriff, the result woul
have besn terrible, as the breeds an
their allies-the Chippewa I%ndlans-il
? the mob numbered five hundred. Th
government, it is said here, should a
once abolish the Turtle Mountain resel
walton and remove the Chippewa In
dams TO White Earth reservation, a
their presence on the boundary. ssvent
miles from the troops at Fort Totten, i
q caEse or many complications, and j
conjunction with the half breeds the
can at any time menace or attack th
, white settlers.